Well i am new to home brewing but have certainly caught the bug after my first AG batch. A Friend of a Friend is looking to get rid of his Brew System quickly, and has asked me to make an offer. Point is I dont have the slightest idea what its worth, and similar systems online vary immensely

I think the bigger question is, "Do you need to brew that much beer?". I think $500-$750 would be a really fair offer...but you never know what he is expecting to get.

Truth is, for that kinda money, you could easily put together a nice setup that you wouldn't have to climb inside to clean. I think there's something to be said for buying AG stuff a little at a time so if you change your mind about what equipment is worthwhile, you haven't already committed yourself. Later on down the line, you might decide the plate chiller is a PITA. Also, consider doing a 5 gallon batch on that kettle. It'd barely fill that thing! Plus, you might not want your wort directly in contact with the element.

Probably at least $500. If you are just getting into AG, this seems like a huge plunge. For me, half the fun is planning future beers AND what future equipment I want to get. This would take some of that fun away. Plus, you have less control over designing your system.

With 8KW to boil 48 gallons how many hours / days is that going to take with only 26,000 BTU's to heat if ever without any insulation? That thing looks like a good idea that went bad from the start. I would pass and build what you want as posted above and use your money wisely.
Only value I see is the grain mill, that maybe is not what you want either. Pump another question, looks like a piston or diaphragm vs a magnetic drive, plate chiller sell it someone might be looking for one but look what comes with it, everything. As for everything else good luck in finding a high gallon brewer like he is. I say pass on the whole thing.

I am not sure if he is expecting a child soon, although it is certainly possible.

I would primarily be doing my smaller batches on my 5 gal setup, but am very interested in possibly supplying beer (assuming I can get a few perfected) to a couple local pubs, as permitting is cheap, and I currently am in a Zoning Free Area. So size wise this would be something I am interested in. From what I gather from you folks you are saying that somewhere around 600-900 would be reasonable. I found out through word of mouth that he countered another offer with the figure of 1700. Does this sound very high. How much would a system like his cost to build roughly. I was expecting the value of each of the stainless drums to be worth 500-600, am I way off?

From what I gether you are saying that the heating element would not have enough power to bring to boil in a reasonable time? I'm not following you on the plate cooler, are you saying that it is the only thing of value out of the set up? From what I understand the two pumps are magnetic. Is using 55 gallon stainless steel drums not a good idea. I cant seem to find 55 gallon stainless for anything less than 500 a piece. What would the alternative be? If I was building my own from scratch (I do not know how to weld) what would you folks do differently from this setup? Assumong you were looking for a 1 1/2 bbl setup .